15 Reasons You Shouldn't Overlook Wood Pellet Stove

The Basics of a Wood Pellet Stove A pellet stove heats with wood pellets. Pellets are purchased in bags and then poured into an hopper that is controlled by thermometer. The stove is equipped with an air-conditioner that blows warm air into the room. They can be used to heat nearly any house. It's important to consider the physical characteristics of your home, such as the ceiling size. Efficiency The effectiveness of a stove made from pellets is dependent on the quality of the heating pellets used. Premium-grade pellets have less than one percent of ash While lower-grade pellets could have up to six percent ash. High-quality pellets come from sawdust and wood that has been recycled. As a result, they are an eco-friendly option for home heating. They also don't create creosote that can ignite in chimneys. However, the ash produced by pellet stoves may be harmful to pets and children. A wood pellet stove makes use of an auger that transports the pellets to a chamber where they are burned to generate heat. This process is controlled by sensors that measure air temperature and pressure. If the sensor determines that more fuel is needed, the auger feeds more pellets into the combustion chamber. The hot air is transferred through a heat exchanger to a blower that disperses it throughout your home by convection. A pellet stove is powered by fans and electricity in addition to burning wood. The pellet stove can be vented via a direct-vent system or through an external chimney or vent. Indirect vent systems tend to be utilized in newer homes with open floorplans, while venting via a chimney is preferred in older homes with fireplaces. Pellet stoves have numerous advantages over traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They are more efficient, require less maintenance and have a smaller carbon footprint. They also operate much quieter than traditional stoves. However, they aren't as efficient as gas stoves. Wood pellet stoves come in freestanding models as well as inserts to existing fireplaces. They can provide additional heat for an entire home or room and are perfect for open floor plans. Additionally, they can be utilized as a primary source of heat for smaller houses that have less heating needs. Electricity powers the internal mechanisms of wood pellet stoves, including the auger that feeds the air into the combustion chamber and the fan. Due to this, they are vulnerable to power outages and need an alternative heating source during a power outage. They also utilize a standard three-prong plug, which means you'll need to make sure that the power outlet is in good condition prior to using it. Pellet stoves also produce a lot of clinker and ash, which must be cleaned regularly. These materials can be eliminated with a metal vacuum cleaner. Cost The wood pellet stove is a fantastic alternative to traditional fireplaces. They are cheaper than oil or gas heaters and provide greater flexibility in heating your home. Before you decide to purchase a stove, you should take into consideration the upfront costs as well as ongoing expenses. The cost of buying and installing a pellet stove is influenced by the size of the stove as well as its complexity and the labor requirements, as depending on the price of your local area for fuel as well as a professional installation. Wood pellet stoves can be purchased as freestanding models or as inserts to be fitted into existing fireplaces. Both styles are stylish and offer a range of options to suit a broad choice of budgets. Freestanding pellet stoves generally cost between $1,000 and $5,000. The main expense for a pellet stove is the fuel that powers it. It is possible to spend between $35 to $50 per month, based on the heating needs of your home as well as the cost of pellets in your region. best pellet stove inserts of 40 pounds of pellets can burn for 24 hours and produces enough heat to warm up a 1,000-square-foot room. Pellet stoves are powered by a mechanized screw-auger which feeds pellets into the burner. The pellets are ignited, and they create a fire. The flames, as they move across the heat exchanger, produce warmth and hot air inside your home through the use of a blower. An exhaust fan is able to simultaneously expel the combustion gases from the stove, making sure your home remains at a safe and comfortable temperature. You will also have to pay for electricity to charge the motorized hopper that feeds pellets into the stove and the heater itself. The majority of pellet stoves require 360 to 460 watts of power to ignite and require between 80 and 345 watts per hour to keep the flame. If you are in a region that is susceptible to frequent power outages, it could be worth considering installing a backup generator or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery. It is important to keep in mind that pellet stoves require regular maintenance to keep them operating correctly. This means cleaning the ash pan frequently cleaning the flue as well as the surrounding vents every three to four months, and getting an inspection by a professional once a year. It is also recommended to install an CO detector near the stove, since this device will quickly warn you of the dangers of CO in your home. Maintenance Wood pellet stoves are popular because they are known for being simpler to use than wood burning fireplaces however, they require some maintenance. It is essential to keep the stove clean to ensure safety and efficiency. To ensure comfort and avoid overheating, it's important to regularly check the temperature of the room and adjust the heating settings. A thermometer is helpful to monitor the temperature. Certain models come with temperature control features that allow you to set a specific target room temperature. This will prevent overheating and burning up fuel. While many fireplaces and wood stoves require a chimney system to vent their exhaust, pellet stoves typically only need a blower that connects the heat exchanger with an exhaust tube or pipe. The vent can be run through the roof or the wall on the exterior side of your home. A professional installer can help decide which method of exhaust is best for your stove and home type. Pellet stoves also produce very little ash, making them less maintenance-intensive as opposed to traditional fireplaces or wood stoves. The amount of ash produced by your stove will depend on how often you use it and the quality of pellets and the frequency with which you use it. The frequency of deep cleaning can be reduced by regularly emptying the ashpan and cleaning the exhaust pipe. The ash can be used for a variety of purposes, including soil amendment, architectural materials, and seed germination. A wood pellet stove can be a great choice for those who want to cut down on their dependence on fossil fuels, as well as the environmental damage that comes with it. They are also a great choice for those who cannot afford to replace their current heating system. Many stores that sell pellets stoves offer service contracts when purchasing. These include annual inspections and a thorough cleaning. While a weekly cleaning of a pellet stove is an easy task to do yourself, the annual inspections and deep cleaning should be left to a qualified professional. The expert will visually inspect the stove and complete a complete cleaning checklist. The blower, drop tube and exhaust pipe will be cleaned, as well as the baffles will be cleaned and removed. The ESP sensor air passages as well as the ESP sensor will also be cleaned. A regular maintenance schedule will help you save money by cutting down on repairs and replacement parts. Installation Installation of a pellet stove requires the installation of a few parts. The first step is to install a fireproof mat over the place where the stove will be. Then the exhaust system has to be connected. This will include a stainless steel chimney liner that directs fumes away from the house. It also requires an air vent cap. The best vent caps are made of high-temperature stainless steel that is rust-resistant and are available in several colors. Another essential element is the venting system, which transports combustion by-products, fine ash and water vapor to the outside. It is crucial to avoid leaks and keep your home clean and safe. To avoid problems like this it is recommended to use only piping labeled for pellet stoves. Some manufacturers recommend the use of the chimney liner made of stainless steel with the proper size that extends along the length of the exhaust pipe in order to reduce pressure and ensure proper drafting. These guidelines are important due to the fact that modern construction techniques create homes that are sealed which can negatively impact draft. You can purchase an already-packaged exhaust system that consists of an stainless steel chimney liner and vent cap at most wood stove retailers. It is best to hire an expert to install the system. These professionals can help you select the best size stove for your home. They will visit your home and look at factors such as your heating needs, the arrangement of your rooms, and the ceiling's height. They will also provide recommendations on how many BTUs are required to heat your home. Pellet stoves are typically sized by the amount of BTUs they can produce in an hour. In general, you should choose a stove that produces about 5,000 BTUs per 200 square feet of living space. It doesn't mean one model is the best for your home. Other factors, including ceiling height and open floor plans, can affect the amount of heat a particular stove can generate. In addition, the majority of dealers offer a range of models to suit varying demands for heat output.